Page 107 of Awakened by Sin

“We’re gonna get through this. One day at a time.”

“How do I do this?”

“You find something that makes you happy. You do that, and it’ll give you a break from the pain. Then you find something else that makes you happy, and you do more of that. Eventually, the good beats out the bad.” Mom stroked her hair. “How many shots?”

It took her a moment to figure out what she was talking about. “Two. I missed on the first, but the second got him in the chest.”

Mom kissed her temple. “Your father would be proud.”

Carmen’s lips curved. “I know.”

The faint ring of a phone echoed through the house.

“It’s probably Lyla,” Mom said and rushed out of the kitchen.

Carmen folded her arms on the table and rested her aching head on top. She took a deep breath and then another. Mom’s ministrations definitely worked. The bath to wash away the memories, the food to fill the emptiness, and the love to hold her in the present.

“Carmen.” She grunted as Mom walked in the kitchen. “It’s Gavin.”

She tensed. Gavin was the last person she wanted to talk to when she was feeling this way. She played possum and didn’t raise her head.

Mom sighed and said, “She can hear you.”

Gavin’s angry voice filled the kitchen. “What the hell were you thinking, Carmen?”

She raised her head and glared at Mom who shrugged.

“Neither of you can stay there. It isn’t safe. Pack a bag and stay with us.”

Carmen felt all the blood drain from her body. Oh, shit. It was starting all over again. Her impulsive stupidity put Mom’s life in danger.

“I just moved in with Marv,” Mom said,

“Who’s Marv?” Gavin asked brusquely.

“My fiancé.” When Gavin didn’t comment, she added, “I’ll invite you to the wedding, of course.”

“Of course,” Gavin echoed and then, “I guess that should be okay since I didn’t even know you were engaged. Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Gavin,” Mom chirped gaily. “You’re going to love him. He’s so sweet.”

“I’ll take your word for it. There are two guards outside, Mickey and Frederick. They stay on Carmen at all times. Keeping you out of sight is just a precaution, Isabel.”

“I understand,” Mom said.

“I want you gone in the next fifteen minutes.”

“Will do. Thank you, Gavin.” Mom waited a good twenty seconds before she lowered the phone. “I guess he hung up. Let’s go, Carmen.”

Someone pounded on the door, and they both jumped. Her survival instinct kicked in. She shot up from the table, climbed on the counter, and pulled the shotgun from the top of the cabinets. Mom pulled a tiny pistol from its hiding place behind the bread maker. She tiptoed to the door and waited.

“It’s Mickey and Frederick. Pyre says you need to be gone in fourteen minutes.”

She relaxed slightly. Fucking Gavin. She opened the door with the shotgun still in hand. Two men stood on her doorstep. They looked FBI rejects with the blinding white shirts, black ties, and black suits. The Mexican built like a tank had sprawling tattoos on the back of his hands that twined around each finger. Probably covering up a gang tattoo. The second guy couldn’t be older than twenty-five. He looked bright-eyed and excited before he noticed the gun. He took a step back while the other guard’s lip curled.

“I hope you know how to use that,” Mexican Hulk said.

She lifted the barrel. “Want me to show you?”

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